Awards

The European Commission-DG ECHO, through the European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, awarded the Italian National Civil Protection Service the European Medal for its extraordinary operational contribution to the UCPM in Derna, Libya, following the devastation of Cyclone Daniel in September 2023.

Following Libyan authorities' request of International assistance received through the Mechanism, Italy deployed numerous resources and capacities within the UCPM and in bilateral way.

The first intervention operation coordinated by the Department of Civil Protection involved specialized teams from the National Fire and Rescue Service; ships, helicopters, and diving teams from the Navy; departments of the Army; air assets of the Guardia di Finanza and the Air Force for the transportation of personnel and materials provided by the Regions and Autonomous Provinces and the Italian Red Cross, not to mention the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the vital support provided by the Security division, which helped to operate in a very complex context.

The Medal for extraordinary operational contribution to the UCPM was awarded on June 4, 2024, during the 8th European Civil Protection Forum, to the Head of the Civil Protection Department, Fabrizio Curcio, in his role of technical lead of the national competent authority for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

The Civil Valor awards are granted by the President of the Republic to honour acts of exceptional courage that highlight civic virtue and to distinguish the people who committed them as worthy of public honour. They may be granted to citizens, military departments, bodies and agencies. The Department was awarded a gold medal:

August 7, 2023

The honor was awarded for the frontline commitment during the COVID-19 emergency. The Department, along with its staff, provided [...] constant, thorough, and effective coordination of the components and operational structures of the National Service of Civil Protection, showed admirable devotion and a high sense of duty, ensured the most suitable organizational, logistical, and operational response to combat the spread of the virus, allowed the emergency phase to be overcome and received unanimous recognition and deep appreciation from the national community.

The handover ceremony was held in Rome, in the Sala degli Specchi of the Quirinal Palace, on October 11, 2023.

October 19, 2017

The honor was awarded for the earthquake emergency that struck the territories of Central Italy between 2016 and 2017. On that occasion [...] the Civil Protection Department ensured with its own personnel a constant and effective coordination of the Components and Operational Structures of the National Service of Civil Protection. It provided proof of admirable self-sacrifice in the organization of relief and assistance to the affected populations, as well as in the subsequent work of restoring normal living conditions, receiving the unanimous gratitude of local communities and the whole country, together with the general appreciation of the international community.

The handover ceremony took place in Rome, in the operational headquarters of the Department, on December 11, 2017.

The Civil Merit awards are granted by the President of the Republic to reward citizens, organizations and bodies that have stood out for the exceptional civic sense demonstrated in rescue actions. The Civil Protection Department was awarded three medals:
 
June 5, 2012

The medal was awarded to the Department for the 2009 Abruzzo earthquake emergency, for the [...] constant and effective coordination of components and operational structures as well as civil, military and voluntary organizations of the National Service of Civil Protection, providing evidence of admirable commitment in the organization of relief and assistance to the affected population and in the subsequent work to restore normal living conditions, receiving the unanimous gratitude of the local community and the whole country and a general appreciation by the international community.

March 31, 2006

The award is given for the humanitarian commitment and the activity of relief and assistance to the populations affected by events and natural disasters that occurred in 2004 and 2005 in various parts of the world. In particular: the Bam earthquake, the Beslan terrorist attack, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the New Orleans hurricane, and the Kashmir earthquake. The medal is also awarded for the organization of major events, notably the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

[...] The Civil Protection Department of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers gave proof of extraordinary commitment, in the sign of the values of solidarity and humanitarian commitment, guaranteeing assistance and help to the vulnerable people tragically struck. [...] At the same time, with high competence and extraordinary efficiency, the Department was able to coordinate in Italy the organization of major events that have attracted millions of people and involved the world public opinion.

The award ceremony took place on September 26, 2007 in Colfiorito, on the occasion of the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the earthquake that struck Umbria and Marche in 1997.

May 16, 2003

The Department was awarded for its meritorious work during a series of events in 2002: formation of an epiglacial lake on the Monte Rosa glacier in Verbano Cusio-Ossola (June); volcanic and seismic activity in the province of Catania and earthquakes in the provinces of Campobasso and Foggia (October-November); hydrogeological instability in Northern Italy (November); tsunami in the Aeolian islands (December).

[...] In the circumstances described above, the Department of Civil Protection of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers ensured constant and effective coordination of the Bodies, Corps and Structures operating within the National Service of Civil Protection, providing proof of admirable commitment in the preparation of relief for the population affected by the tragic events and in the subsequent work of reconstruction and restoration of environmental conditions. The generous action of all the components assigned to the activity of civil protection is an admirable example of dedication to the good of Italy.

The medal delivery ceremony was held on July 15, 2004 at the Quirinale Palace, in the Piazza d'Onore.

Health awards are granted by the President of the Republic to those who have particularly distinguished themselves during serious epidemics and major disasters or made significant donations. The Civil Protection Department of Civiwas awarded a gold medal:

April 12, 2023

The recognition is due to its frontline commitment during the Covid-19 emergency. The Department showed admirable dedication in organizing relief and assistance for the people affected by the pandemic.

The award ceremony was held in Rome at the Quirinal Palace on April 27, 2023.

The Order of Malta honor is reserved for those who have participated in the works of the Order, endangering their lives.

1 October 2011

Conferred to the Department by the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, it is awarded to the men and women of the Civil Protection Department who "have succeeded in transforming the dedication that drives them into effectiveness and efficiency in relief actions in Italy and abroad, and made the Italian Civil Protection system an admired and respected model and its volunteers an example of professionalism, charity and sacrifice".

The award ceremony took place on 1 October 2011 in the gallery of Palazzo Colonna, during the commemorative concert for the twentieth anniversary of the bilateral agreement between the Italian Government and the Order of Malta for cooperation in civil protection.